Plastic identification sleeve forming machine



April 22, 1952 ALBRECHT ETAL 2,593,514

PLASTIC IDENTIFICATIONSLEIEVE FORMING MACHINE Filed May 13, 1949 6 Sheets-Shawl April 22, 1952 F. ALBRECZHT ETAL Filed May 13, 1949 PLASTIC IDENTIFICATION SLEEVE FORMING MACHINE 6 Sheets -Sheet '2 April 22, 1952 ALBRECHT ET-AL 2,593,514

PLASTIC IDENTIFICATION $LEEVE FORMING MACHINE Filed May 13, 1949 6 sheets sheet 3 A ril 22, 1952 F. ALBRECHT ETAL PLASTIC IDENTIFICATION SLEEVE FORMING-MACHINE Filed May 13, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FRITZ FL BFECHT April 2, 1952 F. ALBRECHT ETAL 2,593,514

PLASTIC, IDENTIFICATION SLEEVE FORMING MACHINE Filed May 15, 1949 s Sheets- Sheet 5 2] W0 Wow I m/ 72 HLBPECHZ;

WZW

I April 22, 1952 F. ALBRECHT ET AL IDENTIFICATION SLEEVE FORM Filed May 13, 1949 IN MACHINE 6 sheets sheet 6 gwumw Patented Apr. 22, 1952 PLASTIC IDENTIFICATION SLEEVE FORMING MACHINE Fritz Albrecht, Clarence M. Davison, and William L. Lambdin, Jr., Baltimore, Md., assignors to The Glenn L. Martin Company, Middle River, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application May 13, 1949, Serial No. 93,154

4 Claims.

Our-invention relates to forming machines and more particularly to a machine for cutting and forming identification sleeves from a strip of thermoplastic material.

Heretofore, it hasbeen difficult to maintain definite identification of various tubes and wires of complicated hydraulic and electrical systems, such as used in aircraft. In servicing such systems, it is highly desirable to be able to quickly identify the various parts with certainty. For example, the runs of tubing orplumbing common to an aircraft; i. e., gasoline lines, deicer fluid, hydraulic lines for operating landing gear, doors, and controls are oftentimes arranged in a common duct area. This close proximity of lines makes them difficult to trace and creates a serious service and repair problem if they cannot be speedily identified. For instance, in repairing a hydraulic line to a landing gear assembly operable at oil pressures that exceed 1,000 pounds p. s. i., care must be exercised to-valve-off the right section of tubing to be repaired in order to avoid serious disruption of the entire hydraulic system. Likewise, gasoline lines must be readily identifiable for special treatment before being serviced.

Heretofore, especially in military aircraft, it has been customary practice to mark all-tubing with some form of pressure adhesive tape attached thereto as a means of identification. A marking ofthis type has been found to have a limited life and to be highly'susceptible to accidental detachment during normal servicing and cleaning operations.

The present invention comprises a machine having heating units through which a fiat strip of thermoplastic material is passed, with cutting blades and forming dies positioned to cut and form the heated plastic material into sleeves or bands adapted to be snapped on and bonded around a tubular member. An identifying sleeve so made can be easily installed on a section of tubing or a bundle of wires which is incapable of removal short of destruction.

It therefore, one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide an'improved machine for making identification sleeves from plastic strip material.

Another object is to provide a machine for forming a sleeve suitable for encircling a tubular member with the ends of the sleeve suitably positioned for adhesive joining.

A further object is to provide a machine capablev of making an identification sleeve adapted for snapped-on engagement around a tubular article;

A still further object is to provide a-machi'ne capable of forming plastic sleeves to a variety of slzes.

Another object is to provide a machine for forming a plastic sleeve-under heat and pressure with overlapped ends held out of engagement with each other. 7

Qther objects of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like-numbers refer to like parts in different views.

In the drawings: 7

Figure l is a front elevation view of the plastic sleeve forming machine of this invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine.

Figure 3 is a front sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure -2 including the control panel in phantom.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary'view ofthe cutter, dies, mandrel and strip guiding plate operation positions.

Figure 5 is a section view on line 5-5 of Figure 4 showing details of the mandrel assembly.

Figure 6 is an enlarged front view of the mandrelassembly showing details of the air passages positioned to conduct air outwardly of -the--man-' with an offset portion and arranged toposition an end of the sleeve against anabutment formed in the lower die.

, Figure 9 is a fragmentary schematic view ofthe same set of dies illustrated :by Figure8 with the sleeve half formed.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary schematic' view of the same set of dies'illustrated by Figure 8 in their final position withthe sleeve fully formed.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary schematic viewzof a modified set of dies in which :the bottom die is formed in two parts separated byspring means.

Figure 12 showsthe diesofFigure 11 in closed position.

Figure 13 is a schematic .fragmentary'sect ion of a modified form of dies formed withcooperating offsets including a sleeve .end separator.

Figure 14 shows the .dies of Figure 13 in halfclosed position.

Figure 15 shows the dies of Figure 13inclosed position.

Referring more particularly to'Eigure :1, the identification sleeve forming machine 20 of :the present invention is illustrated as positioned on a flat horizontal bed or table 2| supported in an elevated position by a plurality of legs 22. The machine 20 includes a rectangular box-like structure having vertical front 23 and rear 24 plates (see Figure 2), right 25 and left 26 walls mounted on a base plate 21 secured to the table by suitable bolts 28. Supported separately from the machine is a supply reel 29 carried by a suitable mount 3| from which the plastic sleeve material or strip 36 is supplied to the forming machine.

Rigidly fixed at its lower side to the front plate 23 by suitable brackets 32 is an upstanding control panel 33 on which are mounted suitable mtor and heater control switches in circuit with a suitable electrical supply circuit. Suitably arranged on the control panel are also conventional indicating lights 34 in circuit respectively with a top heater 35 and bottom heater 36 positioned for heating the plastic strip as hereinafter described. The lights 34 are arranged in the heater circuits for cooperative operation with thermostats (not shown) carried by each heater to indicate when the heaters 35 and 3B are sufficiently heated to receive the material to be formed into sleeves.

The strip 30 of material to be formed by the machine 28 into individual identification sleeves consists of a relatively long section of thermoplastic material of suitable width and thickness for forming under heat and pressure into a number of sleeves corresponding in length to the width of said strip and of a predetermined diameter.

Such a strip material as that disclosed by Yergen Von Stackelberg et al. in patent application for Plastic Identification Sleeve, bearing Serial Number 71,782, filed January 21, 1949, has been found to give satisfactory results. This material is formed from cellulose acetate butyrate extruded to a thickness of substantially .025 of an inch and approximately one inch in width. Other materials such as the products of the copolymerization of vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride have been found to be satisfactory. The thermoplastic characteristic of these materials is taken advantage of by the machine of this invention to hot form sleeves generally circular in configuration from the fiat strip 30 for snapped-on application to a circular article.

Advancement of the strip 30 off the supply reel 29 at a predetermined speed is accomplished by a pair of feeding rollers 31 and 38 mounted exteriorly of the front plate 23. Rollers 31 and 38 are of sufiicient diameter and provided with a non-slip peripheral surface of sufficient width for tractive engagement with the strip 3|! inserted therebetween to advance said strip as along a strip path extending from the supply reel to the former on rotation of the rollers. Both rollers are formed with an extended rim having match teeth 44 adapted for geared engagement with each other. The bottom roller 3'! acts as the drive roller and is drivingly mounted on the shaft 39 through a conventional overrunning clutch assembly (not shown) adapted to impart clockwise rotation to said bottom roller on oscillatory rotation of said shaft. Support for the end of the shaft 39 exteriorly of roller 31 is provided by a face plate 40 spaced outwardly of the frontplate 23 by suitable plate spacers 4| (see Figure 2) fitted around securing screws 42. Face plate 40 also provides part of the means for supporting the top roller 38. Top roller 38 is mounted directly over the drive or bottom roller 3! on a stub shaft 41 carried by a pair of spaced arms 45 plvotally mounted on a pivot pin 43 positioned outwardly of the front plate 23 with one end supported by the face piece 44. Separation of the arms 45 adjacent each side of the roller 38 is provided by a collar 46 inserted over the pivot pin 43. The cooperative arrangement of the pivoted arms 45, the stub shaft 41 and the teeth 44 is used to attain. uniform driven rotation of the top roller 38 by the bottom roller 31 irrespective of changes in the thickness of the strip 34 as the top roller is allowed to ride by its own weight on the strip of sleeve material placed therebetween. The weight of the top roller 38 is normally sufficient to hold the strip 30 firmly in engagement with both rollers so as to efiect forward movement thereof free of slippage as both rollers are rotated in opposite directions on driven rotation 01 the bottom roller 3'5; however, in the working of extremely thin or extremely smooth strip material, it may be found desirable to draw the top roller more tightly against the strip by a spring means added to the arm 45 assembly. Positioned to the right of the rollers 31 and 38 and centered relative to strip 58, is a heater carrier 48 slidably supported by a bracket 49 bolted to the front plate 23. The channel-like arrangement of the top of bracket 49 is such as to allow for movement of the carrier 48 toward and away from the rollers 37 and 38. Such movement of the carrier 48 provides for adjustment of the machine 25 to effeet the forming of sleeve sections of diiferent lengths as required to form sleeves of different diameters. The heater carrier 48 is formed as a cage-like structure having a cavity 54 therein adapted to receive and position a pair of separable heating blocks 5|! and 5| above and below a strip slot 52 area, forming part of the strip path extending therethrough with the said heating blocks being left suificiently exposed as to permit access to the ends and sides thereof. The strip slot 52 is dimensioned to receive and channel the strip 38 through the carrier between blocks 50 and 5| formed in the carrier 48 on advancement of the strip by rollers 31 and 38. Positioned between the carrier 48 and the rollers, is a removable hooded extension 53 of the strip slot 52 adapted to enclose and support the strip 30 as it is moved along the path and before it enters the carrier so as to guard against any tendency it may have to buckle on its advancement by the rollers. The possibility of the strip buckling is greatest when the carrier is adjusted to the right, away from the rollers, as is done when small sleeves are being formed and we have found that the extension 53 provides for uniform feedin of different stock materials formed to different sleeve sizes.

The bottom heater block Si) is formed of sufficient height to bottom within the cavity 54 with its top surface 55 in the same plane as and forming a continuation of the bottom of slot 52 of the carrier 48. Heating of the block 58 to a suitable temperature is provided by an electric heating unit 36 inserted therein and connected to the electrical supply circuit through the control panel 33 by a flexible cable 56 extending therebetween.

The top heater block 5| is arranged for up and down sliding movement within the cavity 54 of the cage-like carrier 48 to allow for lifting of the block from off the strip after it has been sufiiciently heated and ready for further advancement. Heating of the top heater block 5| is accomplished by a second heating unit 35, of any gat ers conventional type, suitable for insertion through the slotted end of the carrier 48 and into the heater block arranged as a movable structure and is likewise connected to the electrical supply line through the control panel 33 by a flexible conductor 5? connecting with the heater switch.

Extending upwardly from and connected to'the top heater block 5| is a rod 58 having a free end exposed above the carrier 48. Rod 58 is provided with a pair of abutments comprised of a shoulder 59 formed around the rod and a cross piece 60 inserted through the rod. In engagement with rod 58 and adapted for upward lifting movement is a lift bar 62, having'one end fulcrumed on an upright extension 6| of the'carrier' 48 and loosely engaged to rod 58 by bein apertured to pass between the shoulder 55 and crosspiece (illwith its opposite, or free, end 53 extended to the right of and beyond the carrier as. Lift bar 52, being extended over the heater cavity 54 with one end pivoted on upright extension GI and the other end 63 arranged free with an intermediate point connected to red 58, is positioned to lift the heater block 5| on upward movement of said free end of the bar.

Spaced to the right and inwardly of the heater carrier assembly is a dove-tailed groove 64 extending upwardly of the front plate 23 and normal to the strip slot 52 from a point below. the strip path to the top of the front plate. The arrangement of the dove-tailed groove 64 provides a top entrant channel transversely positioned adjacent the strip path. The groove 64 or channel can be either formed in the front plate 23 or as a separate groove block I'll) attached thereto as shown in Figure 2. Positioned for up and down movement parallel to the groove is a lower die block 65 having a back portion formed with a tongue matched to fit in the dove-tail of the groove to provide for guided movement therein. Carried by the lower die block 55 is a lower die 66 secured to said block by suitable bolt means 61 (Figure 4) and formed with side forming surfaces 68 and'a curved bottom forming surface 69.

Positioned opposite the sleeve slot 52 is an intermediate or mandrel block also formed with a back portion as a tongue matched to the dovetailed groove 64 and adapted for slidable mounting in said groove. Carried by and protruding outwardly of the intermediate or mandrel block 70 is a mandrel H. The mandrel H is cylindrical in form and of sufficient diameter to provide a circular forming surface of substantially the same diameter as the article to be encompassed by the formed identification sleeve produced by the machine 20. Mandrel H as shown by Figure 5 is adapted for screw mounting in a threaded aperture 12 formed in the block 70. Around aperture F2 are a plurality of air holes or channels l3 .extendingoutwardly from a point adjacent the inner end of the mandrel. These air holes or channels 73 communicate with a funnel-- servicewhen inserted with a p'ress 'fit -"and also? it is to be understood that the mandrel'may be formed integrally withthe carrier block.

The mandrel assembly is held from dropping too low in the slide groove 64 by a stop means consisting of a projecting pin 15 positioned to provide an abutment within the dove-tailed groove 64. The location of pin 15 relative to the strip slot 52 is such as to position the mandrel H just below the slot (see Figure 4) so that the strip, or sleeve, material 3!] advanced through the slot is extended directly over the mandrel.

Removably attached to the heater carrier 48 by screws 16 is a bottom cutter 11 having a cutting edge 18 spaced adjacent to the strip slot 52 and positioned so that the sleeve strip 30 passes thereover on advancement out of the slot. The function of the cutting edge 18 is to provide a straight cutting edge across the strip path for a cutter adapted to cut the strip 39 on its a'dvancement out of the strip slot 52 into the desired lengths for forming into sleeves.

Slidably mounted in the dove-tailed groove 64 for up and down movement relative to the mandrel block it] is a third, or upper die carrier, block 39 (Figures 1, 2, and 4). Attached to the face of the upper block 80 by suitable bolt means 89 is an upper die 82 formed with a semi-circular mandrel matching portion 83 and upwardly sloped sides 8d. The angle of thesloped sides 84 of the up er die 82 is matched to that of the formin'g surfaces 88 of the bottom or lower die 55 to allow for matched engagement therewith with the mandrel it entirely encompassed, but spaced therefrom to a predetermined sleeve thickness, when the dies are brought together in forming position.

Attached to the side of the upper die 82 adjacent the heater carrier 48 by suitable screw means 85, is an upper cutting blade 85 adapted for sliding engagement past the cutting .edge 18 of the bottom cutter ll, carried by the heater carrier, on downward movement of the upper die. The cuttingblade 85 is formed with a V-shaped cutting surface 87 adapted to first engage the outer edges of the hot strip 30 material advanced from the strip slot 52 so as to cut uniformly from both sides of the strip toward the middle on progressive downward movement of the blade. In this manner of cutting, any tendency of the hot strip material to misalign while being out is eliminated and the parallel cutting of the sleeve section ends-is assured so that they will align properly on forming of the section into a sleeve.

On advancement of the strip 38 from between the heating units 59 and 5! in a heated condition for forming, it is relatively limp, and the free end has a tendency to bend downwardly and curl back. Therefore, in order to properly position the strip 38 over the mandrel H for forming, we provide a strip guide 88, as best shown in Figure 4, formed from a strip of metal of greater width and thickness than the strip material to be shaped having a recess or cavity 19 formed inwardly of one end and adapted to receive the strip to guide it across the mandrel l I. The guide 88 is mounted for sliding movement, in alignment with the strip slot 52, on a side bracket channel member 89 extending outwardly of front plate 23 and secured thereto by suitable fastening means 99. Premature cooling of the strip 30 material contacted by the guide 88 is avoided by providing the guide with a suitableheating means 9| electrically connected to the heater circuit by a flexible cord 92 (Figure 1). Reciprocal-movement of the guide M te guide tl'iestr-iptll over" the mandrel -l fiected by a pivoted arm 93 mounted below the guide and connected thereto by a depending slotted ear 94 formed integrally with the guide. Push and pull force is conveyed to the pivoted arm 93 through a link 95 connected to a second arm 96 mounted adjacent the first arm on a shaft 91 extending inwardly of the front plate 23 for activation by an eccentric hereinafter described. Adjustment of the amount of movement conveyed to the guide 88 for forming different size sleeves is provided for by an adjustable bolt and wing nut. 98 assembly adapted for insertion through apertures H2 formed in the second arm 96 for connection of the connecting link 95 to the pivoted arm 93.

Inserted in the drilled end of the mandrel H is a tube 69, or rod, that extends below the machine table 2i for conducting a formed sleeve I to, a suitable sleeve container. ing tube 99 is formed with an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of the sleeve I00 and is positioned to extend from inside the end of the mandrel as a continuation thereof to keep the formed sleeves from being blown away by the air blast directed outwardly of the mandrel. It is', of course, apparent that this means of conducting the formed sleeves can be readily used with a bin storage system designed for handling a plurality of sleeve sizes.

Upward movement of the top heater i from gravitational engagement with strip 36 to release said strip for advancement after it has been heated and is ready for forming, is accomplished on raising of the upper die 82 into engagement with the adjustable post it? carried by the free end of the heater lift bar 62. The adjustable post I0! is not restricted to any given point of contact with the die 82 in order to allow for operation with different sized dies used in the forming of different sized sleeves.

The upper die block 80 is first actuated to allow the cutting blade 86 to drop with a guillotine-like action past the lower cutter edge I8 to out a section I04 from the heated strip 3i! of sumcient length to encircle the mandrel I i. Further down ward movement of block 80 brings the upper die 82 into engagement with strip section 1055 to form the section over the top of the mandrel as best shown in Figure 1 on the downward movement of the upper arm I05. Connection of arm IUE to the upper die block 8% is provided by a top pivotal link I06 carried by the block.

Upward movement of the lower die 66 into engagement with the upper die 82 to form a sleeve I00 around the mandrel I l is attained on move ment of the lower die actuator arm Ill! drivingly mounted on the end of the lower die actuator shaft I02 connected to the die block 65 by a pivoted link I03. Oscillatory movement of the actuator shaft I02 is accomplished by an eccentric means mounted inwardly of the front plate 23 as hereinafter described in detail and shown by Figures 2 and 3.

In Figure 2 is shown the arrangement of the driving mechanism of the machine in which a drive shaft I08 is adapted for rotation by an electric motor having a suitable speed reduction means (not shown) connected to the drive end I09 0f the drive shaft extended exteriorly of the rear plate 24. The drive shaft I08 is journalled for rotation in suitable bearings such as a back bearing H0 carried by the back plate 20 and an end bearing III carried by the base 21'. The drive shaft is formed with a plurality of eccentrics arranged to effect the intermittent opera- The convey-' tion of the various members of the machine in proper sequence as required to advance, heat, out, form, and finally remove the finished product as hereinafter explained.

Inwardly of the back plate 24, or wall, is the roller 31 actuating eccentric H2 fixed on the drive shaft I08 for rotation therewith. Below the roller eccentric H2 is a cam follower H3 (see Figure 3) carried on the end of a pivoted roller arm I I4 pivoted at I I5 on a horizontally adjustable pivot support H5. The bifurcated opposite end H6 of the pivoted arm H4 is movably connected for lifting movement to a rack H'I held in an upright position by a stanchion H8 fixed to the base 2'! and formed With a slotted front and an open top. The rack H'i is positioned for cooperative engagement with a pinion I20 drivingly carried by the roller driving shaft 39. As previously set forth the roller shaft 39 is effective to rotate roller 31 in only a forward, or clockwise, direction. Return of the rack II! and the arm H4 to their down positions on rotation of the eccentric H2 to a non-eccentric position is effected by a spring I2I extending between the rack and stanchion I I8.

The movable pivot support I I5 is mounted on a base I22 fixed to the machine base 2'1 with the top of said pivot base providing a rail-like surface along which the movable pivot support is adapted for movement. Movement longitudinally of the pivoted arm H4 varies the amount of lift effected thereby and, consequently, the extent to which the rollers 31 and 38 are rotated is attained by the adjustment thereof. Convenient adjustment of the pivot support H5 is provided by an adjusting lever i23 having a bifurcated end I24 in engagement with pin I23 on the pivot support I I5. Lever I23 is shown pivotally carried by the stanchion H8; however, in certain instances where the machine is to be enclosed, we have found it desirable to mount the lever on one of the machine side walls with a portion of the lever exposed outwardly of the machine. It is to be noted that shortening of the lever movement effected by the pivoted arm H4 is attained by movement of the pivot H5 along slot H9 formed in the pivoted arm H4 toward the rack I I1. And although we have shown the pivot support H5 moved to a position of maximum lever movement for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that in the forming of the smaller sized sleeves as shown in Figure 1 that the pivot would be positioned farther to the left than as indicated in Figure 3.

Mounted on a pedestal I25 adjacent the drive shaft I08 is a conventional type of air valve unit I26 adapted for actuation to release a predetermined quantity of air under pressure from a suitable airline supplied through a duct I21 extending through the back plate 24. Extending from the valve unit I26 is a valve arm I28 having a secured end I29 pivoted beyond a valve stem I30 and provided at its free end with a roller con-' tactor I3I positioned for engagement with the valve eccentric I32 carried by the drive shaft I08. As the eccentric I32 rotates against the air valve roller contactor I3I, on rotation of the drive shaft I08, the valve arm I28 is moved back against the valve stem I30. Pressure on valve stem I30 releases a blast of air under pressure through a connecting duct I33 in nippled communication with an air hole I34 (Figure 5) formed in the die groove back wall I35 adjacent the mandrel 'II. Air entering air hole I30 in turn is directed through the air passage 14 formed at the base of mandrel'll and thence outwardly through .air

channels I3 formed around the mandrel. vAir arm IE5 is fixed for movement therewith. The

upper die shaft I36 extends through the front plate 23 and is supported by suitable bearing members I31 and I33 carried by the front plate 23 and side wall 25 respectively. The interior end of the upper die shaft I36 is provided with an extended crank I39 placed normal thereto having an upper die roller I43 carried at its end and positioned for engagement with the upper die eccentric I II carried for rotation by the drive shaft I08. Rotation of eccentric I4I by the shaft I03 effects rising and falling movement of the crank I39 adapted to convey similar action to the upper die arm I65 since the two are fixed at opposite ends of shaft I35. Return of the crank to a down position is not only gravitational but also under the urge of a crank spring I42 (Figure 3) positioned to extend between the crank and the supporting right wall 25.

Coordinated up and down movement of the lower die block 65 by its actuator arm IIII is accomplished by a similar drive arrangement wherein the actuator arms shaft I32 (Figure 1) extends interiorly of the front plate 23 and has mounted thereon a lower die crank I43 positioned for engagement with a lower die actuating eccentric I44 carried by the drive shaft I68. The weight of the lower die assembly is normally sufficient to hold the actuator crank I 43 in engagement with the eccentric I44; however, in case a lighter assembly is used it is obvious that a spring means associated with the actuator crank to urge it into continuous contact with the lower die eccentric would be advisable. The degree of eccentricity and radial positioning of both the upper die eccentric I4I and the lower die eccentric I44 as well as the arm linkages are arranged so that the lower die 86 is not raised into engagement with the sleeve section its being formed until the upper die 82 has been dropped around the sleeve section positioned over the mandrel II as best illustrated in Figure I.

Reciprocal movement of the strip guide 88 to lead the end of strip 38 across the mandrel II is accomplished by means of a guide shaft 9? extended interiorly of the machine front plate 23 and mounted in an extended bearing I45 (Figure 2) carried by the front plate 23 with the interior end of the shaft formed as a guide crank I45. The free end of the guide crank I45 is extended adjacent the drive shaft Ills for engagement with a guide eccentric I43 carried by said shaft. The crank Ids is moved to the downwardly position under the urge of a guide crank spring I49 secured to the machine base 2?. The movement of the guide plate 83 is synchronous with advancement of strip 3% by rollers 3'! and 38 after the strip has been heated for forming in the heater assembly so that the heated strip is supported and guided over the mandrel II. The guide bar actuating linkage is designed and arranged to provide for sufficient movement of the guide bar 83 so that it is withdrawn from around the end of the strip Bil before the strip is fully out off to form section I84 as shown in Figure 1. In this manner any misplacement of the section I04 to be formed is avoided. Likewise, the upward movement of the top heater block 5| must be synchronized with rotation of the drive rollers 31 and 38 to release the strip 30 after heating for advancement across the forming mandrel II to a predetermined point to allow for it to drop over the mandrel.

In Figure 7 is illustrated in cross-section,'an identification sleeve IGU formed generally circular, with an inner end I50 and an outer end I5I overlapped over each other, from the strip 30 material by being first heated, cut to th desired size and formed under pressur around the mandrel II of machine it. The amount of overlap between ends I59 and IEI or its entire elimination in a sleeve formed with butted ends is determined by the length to which the sleeve section I04 is cut for forming. Length of the sleeve section I04 is controlled by the amount of strip 3!] material advanced by the rollers 31 and 38 for eachcut as well as the distance provided between the cutting edge 86 and the forming portion of the die. In case an end butted sleeve is desired the extent to which the strip advancing rollers are rotated is reduced from that required for an overlapped sleeve of like diameter. 0n the other hand, in case a greater than normal overlapis desired, the dies may be moved farther away from the cutting edge.

Figures 8, 9, and 10 illustrate three different positions in the progressive movement of dies having a fixed abutment or offset I53 positioned in the bottom die to recline and hold the one end of the out strip Hi4 against undesired movement in thos instances where it is desirable to hold the sleeve overla to close tolerances. It is to be noted that the s10pe area III of the right die is reduced in length relative to the upper slope area 84 to allow for a greater circumference in the overlapped side of the sleeve I04 as shown in Figure 10. The left slope areas I52 are arranged for matched engagement on full closure of the dies. In Figure 8, the dies are shown fully separated; the section N34 has just been cut from a strip of material and is in engagement with only a slight portion of the mandrel II. In Figure 9, the upper die 8| has been lowered to engage section I234 of the strip material with said section formed around the top of the mandrel 'II and the ends of the section about ready to-enter the lower die 65. Figure 10 shows the dies in closed position with the section I04 of the material in formed condition as an overlapped sleeve.

In Figures 11 and 12 are shown a modified form of lower die in open and closed positions respectively wherein the bottom die is formed in two parts. One part is formed as a base I54 having a vertical surface I55 extending downwardly of a semi-circular forming area I 56 and a horizontal fiat surface arranged as a ledge I51 disposed from the vertical on which the second part I53 rests in the full forming position shown in Figure 12. Th e two parts are connected by suitable guide pins I53 inserted into matched pin holes Itil formed in both parts. Separation of the second part to raise it above the ledge I5! is accomplished by a compression spring I62 placed therebetween with ends socketed in matched sockets I6! formed in both parts. In

this manner a movable abutment I63 of variable height is provided against which the outer end of the sleeve is positioned as the dies are moved toward each other,

Figures l3, l4, and 15 show in cross-section 8133:?

further modification of the die assembly wherein the second part I58 of a bottom die is formed with an insert I64 having an extended portion I65 adapted to extend over a portion 'of the lower die I54 in spaced relationship thereto so as to separate the sleeve ends I50 and II from each other during the forming operation. In this modification a center former I66, generally circular in shape is provided with a step IBI extending lengthwise thereof and arranged as an abutment for the inner end I50 of the sleeve I94 to hold said end against slippage as the material is wrapped around the former. This arrangement of the dies provides a means of eliminating the tendency that certain plastics have to stick together when formed under heat and pressure.

Operation of the machine is as follows:

The desired quantity of suitable sleeve material formed as a strip is wound on the supply reel 29 and the free end of the strip inserted between rollers 31 and 38. The strip is then advanced along the strip path through guard 53 and slot 52 between the heating blocks 59 and 5I on rotation of the rollers 31 and 38. With the strip 39 advanced between the heating blocks 50 and 5i, the top heating block 5I is allowed to rest directly on the strip with the lift bar 62 in a down position during the time required for the roller eccentric I I2 to rotate through its noneccentric position relative to the pivoted arm I I4 and the top die carrier 89 is allowed to remain in down position. In this manner, non-advancement of the strip is synchronized with the heating and forming operation. It is of course, understood that heating units 35 and 35 will have been energized by being placed in circuit with a suitable electric supply system connected to the panel board 33 by feeder I66. In forming the strip 39, composed of cellulose acetate butyrate, we have found that an operating temperature of approximately 220 F. at the heaters is sufiicient to condition the strip for hot forming. The driving motor assembled with a suitable speed reduction unit (not shown) is adapted for energization from a suitable su ply circuit through the motor switch'of panel 33 connected thereto by the motor cable I61 and when so energized, rotates the driving shaft I58. Rotation of the drive shaft I08 places into synchronized operation all of the eccentrics affixed thereto with their assoelated mechanisms. First to be actuated is the upper block 80 which is raised to allow advancement of strip 30 from between the heating blocks through slot 52. The drive roller 3! mechanism is then actuated through the eccentric through H2 to raise rack II! which in turn rotates shaft 39 to rotate the drive roller as well as roller 33 geared thereto by meshed gears 44 which advances the strip 39 a predetermined distance as predetermined by the adjustment of the pivot II5. Simultaneously, with the advancement of the strip 30 out of slot 52 the guide'BB will have been placed adjacent the strip slot 52 to receive the end of the strip 39 inserted into the recess I9 for carrying it to the right and over the mandrel II on clockwise rotation of the shaft 91 through movement of the crank I46, in engagement with the guide eccentric I48. Movement of the guide shaft 91 is conveyed to the guide 88 through the arm 96 connected to the guidearm 93 by link 95. After the strip 30 has been advanced the proper distance for form 12 per block 95 under the urge of spring I42 on rotation of the upper die eccentric I4I to a lesser degree of eccentricity. The upper die is then lowered against the out section I04 of the strip 30 to form said section around the forming mandrel II positioned adjacent slot 52 slightly below the strip path. Subsequent to the downward movement of the upper die, the lower die 66 is moved upwardly by the lower die actuating arm IUI on rotation of shaft I02 formed with a crank end I43 placed in engagement with the lower forming die eccentric I44 rotated by the driving shaft I09. The lower die 66 being formed with opposed inwardly sloping'surfaces 68 directs the ends of the strip section I94 inwardly to encircle the forming mandrel II as the rounded bottom die surface 69 is brought into final forming position against the sleeve ends to form the strip generally cylindrical. The length of the strip section i9 5 is predetermined to position the ends in overlapped or butted relationship depending on the type of sleeve engagement desired.

The forming pressure developed between the upper and lower dies is sufiicient to form the strip section I 94 to the form of'a sleeve as shown in Figure 7. The dies are then disengaged by reverse action of their operating mechanisms on further rotation of the eccentrics leaving the sleeve I99 in its formed condition on the mandrel II. The air control valve eccentric I32 is positioned relative to the die eccentrics to engage the air control valve arm I28 to allow passage of air through the air valve unit I26 to blow off the sleeve I on opening of the dies at the end of the forming cycle. The valve I26 directs a blast of air into the air duct I33 and thence through air hole I34 (Figure 5) formed in the wall I35 adjacent the mandrel H which, in turn. is placed in communication with passage I4 into which air holes 13 open and in turn lead outwardly of the mandrel base so as to direct the blast of air outwardly of the mandrel against and under the formed sleeve I90 in encircled position around the mandrel. The function of the air blast developed by the action of the valve unit I26 is not only to cool the formed sleeve and fix it in shape, but also to separate it from the mandrel and blow it therefrom as a finished prodnet. The movement of the formed sleeve Ififi blown oif the mandrel is controlled by a sleeve guide means consisting of a tube or rod 99 inserted within the apertured end of the mandrel l! and bent downwardly into a suitable sleeve receiver, such as a box or the like.

The adjustable mounting of the heater carrier 49 on bracket 49, as well as the quick removability of the upper and lower dies, provides for the production of various sized sleeves to fit different sized tubes or circular articles. The production of sleeves for standard code markings of an aircraft as previously described covers a range of tube sizes of from /4" to 2" which are also suitable for use in marking various tubes and cables common to other mechanisms.

Although our invention has been shown and described in considerable detail, it will be appreciated that certain changes, alterations, modifications, and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a sleeve forming machine having a strip path and means for moving a strip of material along said path, a support wall spaced from said path, a heater assembly carried by said support wall having heating elements positioned 13 adjacent said path, one of said elements being movable away from the strip path, a channel extending vertically of the support wall, a mandrel carried by the'channel and spaced from the heater assembly 'to extend transversely of the strip path for positioning of the strip material thereon, an upperdie adapted for parallel movement relative to the channel having a forming surface for engagement with the strip to form said strip over the mandrel, a cutter associated with said upper die adapted to cut the strip into a sleeve section having parallel ends, a lower die adapted for parallel movement relative to the channel having a forming surface for engagement of the strip to form said strip under the mandrel as a sleeve.

2. In a machine for forming plastic sleeves from sections of strip material formed with parallel ends, a stationary mandrel, upper and lower cooperating dies adapted for movement toward the mandrel, one of saiddies having a substan-" tially semi-circular forming surface, the other of said dies comprising two relatively movable parts having generally arcuate forming surfaces facing in the general direction of said mandrel, one said arcuate forming surface being closer to said mandrel than said other arcuate forming surface in all positions of relative movement of said parts whereby to form an abutment of vari-- able height, said abutment extending generally parallel to said mandrel for engagement with one end of the section to position said end in overlapped relation to the other end of said section on being formed as a sleeve between said dies and the mandrel.

3. In a machine for forming plastic sleeves from sections of strip material having parallelends adapted for overlapped engagement, a former having a mandrel and movable dies for forming said section of strip, one of said dies being formed as a split die with at least two forming surfaces, one of said forming surfaces being movably positioned closer to the mandrel relative to the other with the juncture between the two being formed as an abutment for holding one end of said strip on the forming thereof between said mandrel and said dies, and means carried by said split die for urging one of said forming surfaces into a position of maximum able to encompass the mandrel, said dies being formed with at least three relatively movable forming surfaces for forming a sleeve having spaced ends around said mandrel, a separating means formed as an extension of the forming surface of one of said dies and positioned to overlap a portion of the forming surface of an adjacent die, said extension being in varying spaced relation to the forming surface of said adjacent die to receive and separate one end of the sleeve from the other end thereof.

FRITZ ALBRECHT. CLARENCE M. DAVISON. WILLIAM L. LAMBDIN, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 141,433 Gately et a1 Aug. 5, 1873 179,295 Gilbert June 27, 1876 483,957 Godfrey Oct. 4, 1892 489,399 Treat et a1 Jan. 3, 1893 1,078,707 Tevander Nov. 18, 1913 1,181,964 Bohlman May 2, 1916 1,234,330 Gray July 24, 1917 1,628,257 Mallory May 10, 1927 1,793,089 Heyes Feb. 17, 1931 2,046,047 Watkins June 30, 1936 2,229,613 Strauch Jan. 21, 1941 2,279,505 Ravenscroft Apr. 14, 1942 2,358,932 Knight Sept. 26, 1944 2,447,499 Erk Aug. 24, 1948 2,480,378 Myers Aug. 30, 1949 2,521,387 Maynard et a1 Sept. 5, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 636,662 Germany Oct. 15, 1936 

